Method and apparatus for containing anatomical material produced by a patient

• US 5,307,819 A
• Filed: 08/13/1992
• Issued: 05/03/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 08/13/1992
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Ansel M. Schwartz, TRAUTMANN, MARLANE M. (60%)
• Original Assignee: Ansel M. Schwartz, Marlane M. Trautmann
• Inventors: Schwartz, Ansel M., Trautmann, Marlane M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Pellegrino, Stephen C.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Tucker, Guy V.
• Application Number:
  US07/929,732
• Time in Patent Office: 628 Days
• Field of Search: 128/760, 128/762, 128/767, 128/771, 128/770, 206/204, 604/87, 604/88, 604/89, 604/318, 604/319, 604/321, 604/322, 604/323, 604/326, 604/336, 604/346, 604/347, 604/349, 604/350, 604/408, 604/410, 604/416, 604/56, 604/317
• US Class Current: 600/580
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 10/0038 Devices for taking faeces samples; Faecal examination devices anal receptacles A61F5/451
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 10/007 for taking urine samples measuring urological functions A61B5/20; genital receptacles A61F5/451; urinals for bed-ridden persons A61G9/006
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2010/0061 Alimentary tract secretions, e.g. biliary, gastric, intestinal, pancreatic secretions
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2050/005 with a lid or cover
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/15003 for venous or arterial blood
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/150221 Valves
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/150366 Blood collection bags, e.g. connected to the patient by a catheter comprising means for removing a small sample of collected blood from the bag collection bags as such A61J1/05, A61M1/0209
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/150992 Blood sampling from a fluid line external to a patient, such as a catheter line, combined with an infusion line; blood sampling from indwelling needle sets, e.g. sealable ports, luer couplings, valves tubing connectors and couplings A61M39/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 50/36 for collecting or disposing of used articles
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 9/00 Bed-pans, urinals or other sanitary devices for bed-ridden persons; Cleaning devices therefor, e.g. combined with toilet-urinals urinals worn by the patient A61F5/44
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 1/10 Bag-type containers
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 1/2024 having peelable seals
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 1/2093 Containers having several compartments for products to be mixed
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/882 Draining devices provided with means for releasing antimicrobial or gelation agents in the drained fluid

Abstract

The present invention pertains to an apparatus for containing material produced by a patient. The apparatus is comprised of a container having a first portion with a first cavity within which the anatomical material is held and an opening through which the anatomical material is provided to the first cavity. The apparatus is also comprised of a second portion with a second cavity in communication with the first cavity, and a removable seal disposed between the first cavity and the second cavity. Additionally, the apparatus is comprised of an immobilizing material disposed in the first portion, which when the seal is removed between the first cavity and second cavity mixes with patient material and immobilizes it. The present invention also pertains to a method for collecting anatomical material produced by a patient. The method comprises the steps of placing or collecting the anatomical material into a first cavity of a first portion of a container. Then, there is the step of releasing immobilizing material from a second cavity of a second portion of the container in communication with the first cavity into the first cavity so the anatomical material is immobilized in the first cavity.

Claims

1. An apparatus for containing anatomical material produced by a patient comprising:

a container having opposing sides and a first portion with a first cavity within which the anatomical material is to be held and an opening through which the anatomical material is provided to the first cavity, said container having a second portion with a second cavity disposed adjacent to the first cavity;

a removable mechanically separable seal separating the first cavity and the second cavity, said seal removable by pulling on the opposing sides of the container; and

an immobilizing material disposed in the second portion, which when the seal is pulled apart and no longer exists between the first cavity and second cavity mixes with the anatomical material and causes it to solidify or gel.

2. An apparatus as described in claim 1 including a one way valve disposed in the first portion which defines the opening.

3. An apparatus as described in claim 2 including a holder for the container within which the container is disposed.

4. An apparatus as described in claim 3 including a tube which is removably attached to the first portion and which has a first end in contact with the first cavity, said tube providing a channel through which patient anatomical material is provided to the first cavity.

5. An apparatus as described in claim 4 wherein the holder has calibration to identify how much anatomical patient material is in the first cavity.

6. An apparatus as described in claim 1 wherein the immobilizing material comprises a neutralizing agent which kills any virus or bacteria in the anatomical material.

7. An apparatus as described in claim 6 wherein the neutralizing agent is bleach.

9. A method as described in claim 7 wherein the introducing step includes the step of connecting a tube to the first cavity of the first portion to introduce anatomical patient material into the first cavity.

8. A method for collecting anatomical material produced by a patient comprising the steps of:

introducing the anatomical material into a first cavity of a first portion of a container; and

releasing immobilizing material from a second cavity of a second portion of the container adjacent to and removably sealed from the first cavity into the first cavity by pulling on opposing sides of the container and thereby pulling apart the seal so the anatomical material is solidified or gelled in the first cavity.

10. An apparatus for containing anatomical material produced by a patient comprising:

a container having opposing sides and a first portion with a first cavity within which the anatomical material is to be held and an opening through which the anatomical material is provided to the first cavity, said container having a second portion with a second cavity disposed adjacent to the first cavity;

a removable seal separating the first cavity and the second cavity, said seal removable by pulling on the opposing sides of the container; and

an immobilizing material disposed in the second portion, which when the seal is pulled apart and no longer exists between the first cavity and second cavity mixes with the anatomical material and kills any virus or bacteria in the anatomical material.

11. A method for collecting anatomical material produced by a patient comprising the steps of:

introducing the anatomical material into a first cavity of a first portion of a container; and

releasing immobilizing material from a second cavity of a second portion of the container adjacent to an removably sealed from the first cavity into the first cavity by pulling on opposing sides of the container and thereby pulling apart the seal so an virus or bacteria in the anatomical material is killed.